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Chapter 7 Reject Her Immediately

Alex POV

It has been a week since the councilmen and Ben gave me the assignment of creating a task force.

Initially, I had the group picked out in my head, but I decided it would be best to observe our warriors over the last week to ensure I was picking the best team. We have a small squad of deadly warriors called the Alpha Team. In most situations, they would be the team we call upon for special assignments.

However, Ben and I believe we need to comprise a team of regular combat warriors with just a few members of the Alpha Team.

Since we don't know precisely how long this deployment team will be gone, we don't want to have all of our best warriors away from the pack for an extended period. After this morning's training session, I told our delta, Jacob, to meet me in my office to select our team. Jacob is over all our warriors and training sessions. If anyone knows how to select a team based on talents and strategy, it's Jacob. With everything going on around the pack, it's been busy. We are finishing preparations for the Mate Ball, which is next week, selecting a team, and strategizing which packs could be the next target.

Ben and I have been working tirelessly trying to make a connection between the packs that have been attacked by rogues. So far, the only packs that are being attacked are small in size, and their warriors are skilled in handling massive attacks. Most of the packs that have been targeted are peaceful packs that have been in any wars or animosity in years. It makes no sense!

The land is not being used after the pack is destroyed. They aren't taking prisoners. The rogues are simply slaughtering without cause, and when there seems to be nothing left, they simply leave. Rogues generally attack in the wild and only attack packs when they have an agenda. However, I have never seen a group of rogues traveling around the country to attack packs. Again, it makes no sense!

"Maybe the rogues are looking for something?" Knight, my wolf, says.

"What could they be looking for, and why slaughter so many? They are even butchering children! What could children know?" I say, exasperated by this whole situation.

"Rogues are not in their right minds. Maybe there is no connection. We just need to find the group of rogues responsible and do to them what they have done to every child they murdered!" Knight exclaims. I agree with my wolf; these rogues must be stopped!

However, there has to be a connection. Rogues typically travel for food sources, shelter, etc. I have never seen a group of rogues travel just to attack. My thoughts are interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Yes, come in," I answer. The door swings open to reveal Hailey. I stand up and greet her with an uneasy smile. She has barely spoken to me since our disagreement. Usually, she sleeps in my room, but over the last week, she has spent every night on her own.

"I am happy to see you," I speak first.

Hailey is still standing by the door, shifting her weight from one side to another. "I don't know if I caught you at a bad time. I have a little time in my schedule right now, and I was hoping we could talk," Hailey says, still not looking directly at me.

"Of course, we can. I've missed you," I tell her. Hailey snaps her head up at me, "Do you Alex? Because you haven't tried very hard to talk to me this week!" I was taken back, I knew she was still upset. However, I have never seen this side of her. Hailey moves from the door, as she slams it behind her.

"I thought you would put in more of an effort to fix things between us, if you wanted us to be together!" Hailey shouts.

"Who the hell does this chick think she is? You better get her to calm down before I rip her head off!" Knight chirps in.

"Not right now, Knight!" I tell my wolf. "Fine! Have fun dealing with the she-wolf!" Knight says before returning to the back of my mind. I come from behind my desk to walk towards Hailey, with my hands up in a sign of surrender.

"I know that you are pissed off at me, but I honestly thought you wanted space. I wasn't trying to be insensitive; I just thought it was best to give you some time," I explain. Hailey takes a step back from me.

"Alex! It's been a week! Don't you think it would have been smart to come and try to talk to me, instead of avoiding me?" She spits back at me. I take a deep breath and move to sit on the leather sofa caddy corner of my desk.

"Hailey, can you please come to sit down and we can talk about this rationally? I don't want to engage in a screaming match with you. I want us to be okay," I tell her.

Hailey takes a step forward, but not towards me, she is headed to sit in one of the chairs facing my desk. She keeps her face neutral as she speaks; "I would prefer to sit over here, thanks." I rub my hands down my face in total frustration before getting up and heading back over to my desk.

As I sit down behind my desk, I take in Hailey's beautiful face. She is alluring, and she holds so many qualities that most men could only hope for in a partner. I really could see building a life together, but I know that I can give her what she wants with my wolf, not in agreement.

"Knight, there has to be something you are willing to agree to. I just need her to understand that we care about her, that she isn't just some she-wolf to us," I plead with my wolf. Like every time before, he doesn't respond.

Hailey is motionless as she waits for me to acknowledge her once again. I take a deep breath before speaking. "Hailey, what can I do? I know that you want me to claim you, but that is not a viable option right now with my wolf resisting. I want to show you that you mean the world to me. Just tell me how."

Hailey's voice is so icy cold, that I barely recognize it. "It's simple. If you meet your mate at the ball, reject her immediately. Only then will I know that you are serious about our future? I won't be able to stand around and watch you bond with her. You know that you love me. We don't need to talk about anything should you meet her. Just reject her, and I will do the same with my mate, if he is at the ball. You owe me that much." Without another word, Hailey leaves my office. She didn't give me a chance to respond, even though I don't know what I would have said. I don't understand why she became so demanding and hostile about our future. I know that it can be unnerving to fall for someone that you know could find their other half, but Hailey has never been this bothered.

What is so different about this Mate Ball from the previous year?

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